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Hiroyuki Sanada

Hiroyuki Sanada (born October 12, 1960) is a Japanese actor. Sanada was first noticed as a serious actor in the movie "Mahjong Hourouki" directed by Makoto Wada. Wada and Sanada's relationship is similar to that of John Huston and Humphrey Bogart and since then Sanada has acted in every one of Wada's movies. Those works are filled with a sense of humor and nostalgic attachment for classic movies. He has established himself as a character actor who can play many different roles. Some of his most famous movies are: Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai), Ring, Kaitou Rubi and The Last Samurai.

Sanada made an appearance in the 2005 Hollywood film The White Countess directed by James Ivory, and the Chinese film The Promise directed by Chen Kaige. He is known internationally more from The Last Samurai, The White Countess and Sunshine directed by Danny Boyle, but has recently been seen in Rush Hour 3 with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. He also stars in The City of Your Final Destination another James Ivory film, where he plays the younger lover of Anthony Hopkins's character.

In 1999 and 2000, he performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in their production of King Lear. This marked the first time a Japanese actor had performed with the theatrical group, and earned Sanada an MBE.

Hiroyuki Sanada has often been credited, in his younger days, as either Henry, Harry or Duke Sanada. His martial arts film career led him in contact with Michelle Yeoh, who he later starred with in Sunshine. He also has a long standing friendship with Jackie Chan, but didn't star in a film with him before Rush Hour 3.

Sanada has been said to be one of Japan's most respected actors, and is often cast as the quiet, heroic character, as seen in The Twilight Samurai.